This major is interdisciplinary, designed for those with environmental interests and career goals. The program emphasizes experiential learning, commonly through field studies and outdoor education. Courses include real projects and original research participation. Students begin their curriculum with the development of a firm base in the sciences and mathematics. Each student develops an area of specialization by selecting a concentration from one of two options. Option I concentrations lead to a heavier emphasis in science and engineering, and include environmental biology, environmental geology, environmental engineering, environmental chemistry, and climate science. Option II concentrations result in a stronger emphasis in the social sciences, humanities and business, and include environmental policy & management, environmental law & protection, environmental writing, green design, and environmental education.
All environmental science majors take a pair of capstone courses involving an original research project and a seminar designed to synthesize their education and tie scientific thought to issues in society. The department houses a number of instruments for environmental monitoring and analysis, and students also have access to resources in their area of concentration.
